National Comparative Audit of Blood Use in Elective Primary Unilateral Total Hip Replacement Surgery in the UK

摘要

INTRODUCTIONBlood is a scarce and expensive product. Although it may be life-saving, in recent years there has been an increased emphasis on the potential hazards of transfusion as well as evidence supporting the use of lower transfusion thresholds. Orthopaedic surgery accounts for some 10% of transfused red blood cells and evidence suggests that there is considerable variation in transfusion practice.